How do our books fit into contemporary realism?
Sulwe
Contemporary realism is found in ‘Sulwe’ through the recognisable human characters that are involved in realistic situations such as being left out at school and being bullied. Readers can connect and empathise with the Sulwe as young readers have either experienced this first hand and/or have observed it. ‘Sulwe’ contains recognisable language through various pages in the book such as rhyme and as according to Fellowes and Oakley (2020), language devices such as rhyming can enhance a description of a topic/subject and/or make it more powerful to young readers (p. 24)
Wide Big World
‘Wide Big World’ explores a realistic social situation about diversity that surrounds both human characters; Izzy and Belle. Through the use of an unknown setting such as time and place, referred to as a “backdrop setting” (Fellowes and Oakley, 2020) allows children to understand that this situation can be seen everywhere and wherever they may go. This further relies on the message that the characters and plot provide throughout the story which capitalise the significant and diverse world that we live in. Furthermore Izzy and Belle remain friends who embrace and utilise their physical differences to connect with the world and each other.
My Two Blankets
Throughout the story ‘My Two Blankets’ the point of view of a young child relocating from a war stricken country to a new safe country is seen. The author uses similes, repetition of words such as “strange” as well as emotions to describe the main character's experience. The mood of the story changes in correspondence to the little girl's emotions as she experiences friendship which allows her mindset to expand to view her new world as warm and soft (McDonald, 2017, p. 95). This story highlights the nature of children learning in a social context and how children can be resilient as they face diversity (Raising Children, 2021).
The Boy At The Back Of The Class
‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’ is a realistic modern day story from the perspective of a young child as he befriends a refugee child. Throughout the story the author touches on topics of racism, war, discrimination, friendship and acceptance. The use of historically (McDonald, 2017, p.60) accurate occurrences such as the Syrian war in children's books will allow children of all cultures to be able to understand complex situations that happen in the world. It is important for children of all cultural backgrounds to feel they are not ignored (Fernando, 2021) and see themselves and their lives within stories for children of their age group.